Maputo street vendors: Where have all the seized goods gone? – Watch

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Maputo street vendors: Where have all the seized goods gone? – Watch

8:10 CAT | 24 Jan 2023

Image: Miramar

Street vendors allege that merchandise seized by the municipal police in Maputo City is diverted and never reaches the corporation’s warehouses.

It is on the city’s sidewalks that some vendors find a place to erect their stalls for commercial activities. But municipal ordinances forbid selling on sidewalks, and the Municipal Police routinely seize their products.

This is where the bad relations between sellers and city police begin. Sellers want clarity about the destination of products and the formula for recovery if fines are paid.

In Maputo’s Baixa, no-one wants to identify themselves, for fear of reprisals.

Our source has been selling on the streets for several years and has seen his products enter the municipal police vehicle, but did not think that it would be the last time he would set eyes on his merchandise.

“A long time ago, one we go there, pay a 600 metical fine, the product was returned. but now, they say there is nothing to return,” another source says.

In fact, many vendors say they have lost count of the amount and cost of the goods seized by the Municipal Police.

Municipal Police however deny the allegations, declaring that only expired products and pharmaceuticals are not returned. “Perishable goods may be recovered in three hours at the Municipal Police Command and, at the end of this time period, they are channelled to charity institutions,” says the police.

The police also left this explanation: “However, there is illegal vending, this is the one which is not authorised by the Municipal Council. In this perspective, of illegal vending, we invite citizens to approach the Municipal Police Command to be able to present their claim. Now, ambulant vending, that is usually one which the Municipal Council has authorised”.

Watch the Miramar report.